Ukraine unveils Shershen multi-calibre air-defence system and R-120K missile at MSPO-2026 in Poland

A Ukrainian company presented the Shershen multi-calibre air-defence system and the new R-120K surface-to-air missile at the MSPO-2026 defence exhibition in Kielce, Poland, on 9 September 2026, according to a report by Ukrainska Pravda. The disclosure, which did not name the manufacturer or provide technical specifications, marks the latest addition to Ukraine’s expanding arsenal of domestically developed air-defence solutions.

The Shershen system is described as a multi-calibre platform capable of engaging a range of aerial threats, while the R-120K is a newly developed surface-to-air missile. No further details on the system’s launch platform, engagement range, or production status have been released. The exhibition appearance suggests that the system is at least at a prototype or demonstration stage, and its unveiling at a Polish defence show – rather than inside Ukraine – signals Kyiv’s intent to market its defence technology to international partners.

Also at MSPO-2026, the Ukrainian company presented the Ai-Petri electronic warfare system, which is designed to suppress guided aerial bombs, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. The Ai-Petri system addresses a critical battlefield challenge: Russian glide bombs that have devastated Ukrainian positions. The combination of hard-kill (Shershen/R-120K) and soft-kill (Ai-Petri) systems at the same exhibition underscores Ukraine’s layered approach to air defence.

Separately, on 21 September, Ukrainian company Vluchnyk announced that its Zorelit v5 interceptor drone had completed internal testing and is ready for military use. The Zorelit v5 is a small, jet-powered interceptor with a top speed of 416 km/h and a range of 47 km, designed to take down Russian reconnaissance UAVs, Gerbera-type drones, and high-speed jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4 attack drones, according to Ukrainska Pravda, citing company CEO Stepan Radiboh. The drone can be equipped with an AI-based automatic target detection and terminal guidance system, and can be integrated with the SkyMap system for autonomous navigation to the target area.

The Zorelit v5 is derived from the earlier Zorelit v4, which Vluchnyk says has seen combat, entered service and received a NATO Stock Number (NSN). The new variant retains proven combat solutions while improving performance. Vluchnyk is offering direct contracts with Ukrainian military units and plans to make the drone available through the e-Points procurement system once it is codified.

While the Shershen and R-120K remain shrouded in operational secrecy, the broader picture is clear: Ukraine is rapidly developing a diverse air-defence ecosystem. The Shershen system appears to target medium-to-high-altitude threats, while the Zorelit v5 fills the low-altitude, point-defence niche against drones. The Ai-Petri electronic warfare system adds a non-kinetic layer.

The presentation at MSPO-2026 also has a diplomatic dimension. Poland is a key hub for Western military aid to Ukraine, and showcasing Ukrainian defence products at a Polish exhibition strengthens bilateral defence-industrial ties. It also signals that Ukraine is moving from being a recipient of foreign weapons to a developer and potential exporter of its own systems.

Open questions remain about the Shershen and R-120K: which company developed them, what are their exact specifications, and have they been tested in combat? Until those details emerge, the systems remain a promising but unproven addition to Ukraine’s air-defence toolkit.